In Their Grief, These Parents Found Hope, When Their Son’s Organs Saved More Than 100 Lives

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When a tragic death hit Kim and Curtis Wormsbaker’s lives, they thought that’s all it was until they learned their son's organs saved lives—102, in fact.

A Tragic Accident Leaves Parents ‘Numb’

In 2023, Kim’s coworker walked into their office and told her she’d just walked by a terrible motorcycle accident.

“I'm not sure he is going to make it,” the woman told her.

Moments later, her husband, Curtis, called her and told her the victim was their 25-year-old, Dylan.

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The father of four had been riding his bike when a minivan failed to yield and hit him.

“My survival instincts kicked in, and I was just numb,” Kim recalled.

“They informed us that my son was fighting for his life,” says Curtis. “They needed to cut his skull open to release the pressure if we wanted a chance to save him.”

A week later, Dylan passed away due to a traumatic brain injury, and the driver was convicted of vehicular manslaughter. He left behind a fiancée, Angela Pace, and four children in their blended family.

Their Son's Organs Saved Lives

But in a way, Dylan’s life hadn’t completely ended. His organs would go on to save over one hundred lives.

When Dylan was just 20, he elected to have his organs donated in case anything “bad happened” to him. Over the course of two years, his organs have helped patients aged 15 to 77.

“It was enlightening and impactful and important that we gave him that honor to be that hero,” said Kim, who was guided through the donation process through Donor Connect.

Their Son is a Hero

The Wormsbakers are fully aware of how their son’s choice has saved lives. They even received a note from a man who received one of Dylan’s kidneys.

“We're just amazed at how many lives he changed,” says Curtis.

Over 100,000 Americans are waiting for their own life-saving transplants. Dr. Danielle Brandman, director of Liver transplantation at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, says, “It's really a gift to be able to see my patients return to the people that they had been before they had been so sick. We really are changing lives every single day.”

They Had Planned to Open an Indoor Playground

Before Dylan died, he and Angela planned to open an indoor kids’ playground in Twin Falls, Idaho. Now, it’s finally about to open. 

“For the past year, we have been working on opening a fun place where our children and our friends’ children could play and celebrate special events,” Pace said. “With a few obvious setbacks, I’m so nervous yet excited to bring the community Little World Play.”

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Kim and Curtis make sure to spend time with all four of their grandkids and sometimes take them to visit Dylan’s gravesite.

"They all know their dad is in heaven," Curtis says, "and he's watching them.”

Wow—it just goes to show how great blessings come out of tragedy. Dylan’s legacy continues not only in his children, family, and those who knew him, but also in the 102 (and counting!) people that he’s helped! 

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h/t: People

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Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.